Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has ignited a fierce political firestorm by unveiling a bold and controversial plan to halt small-boat migrant crossings within just 14 days of new legislation being passed. He framed the move as part of a “national emergency” — and a reckoning for what he calls “14 years of Westminster failure.”

At a press event, Farage laid out what he calls “Operation Restoring Justice,” a five-year programme aimed at detaining and deporting anyone entering the UK illegally. Under his plan, Reform UK would dramatically overhaul human rights protections: he proposes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and repealing the Human Rights Act, replacing them with a domestic “British Bill of Rights.”

He argues that these changes are necessary to prevent legal challenges that currently block deportations: with the new law in place, Farage says illegal arrivals would be detained immediately and then deported — some permanently barred from returning.

To enforce his plan, Reform UK would establish a dedicated UK Deportation Command, which Farage claims would use data from a wide network — police, the Home Office, NHS, DVLA, HMRC, even banks — to identify, detain, and remove undocumented immigrants. He also promises to convert former military bases into detention centres with capacity for up to 24,000 people.

Farage goes further, outlining a “carrot and stick” approach: initial voluntary returns with a payment of £2,500; if that fails, forced deportation. He claims his plan could send as many as five deportation flights a day, repatriating people even to third countries such as Eritrea or Afghanistan.

Perhaps most provocatively, Farage insists he could “stop the boats within two weeks of the law being passed.”  However, just days later, he appeared to clarify his promise — saying that stopping crossings depends entirely on parliament passing the legislation first.

The Backlash & Risks

Unsurprisingly, his proposals have drawn strong criticism. Opponents argue that Farage’s plan would rip up critical international obligations, dismantle legal protections, and fuel a constitutional crisis. Critics warn that detaining and deporting women and children, as Farage has at times suggested, would breach international norms.

Legal experts also question how realistic his 14-day promise is — even if legislation is passed, building detention centres, setting up a deportation command, and establishing repatriation agreements would take time.

Finally, there are concerns about the human cost: rights groups argue that such an aggressive immigration crackdown could lead to widespread abuse, especially if the UK withdraws from key human rights frameworks.